Merry Christmas from all of us at Scottsdale Real Estate.
We hope your holidays are unforgettable!
Scottsdale Real Estate and Arizona Luxury Homes brought to you by the Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Search Scottsdale real estate and Paradise Valley real estate, MLS homes and condos for sale. Find the latest market data to help with your property search. Specializing in luxury homes, golf properties, condos and more.
December 23, 2013 Joe Szabo
Merry Christmas from all of us at Scottsdale Real Estate.
We hope your holidays are unforgettable!
November 27, 2013 Joe Szabo
November 13, 2013 Joe Szabo
Happy November! It looks like the real estate market has cooled off just like the weather. The good news is that the median home price in Paradise Valley Arizona has increased from $990,000 to $1,150,000 since September 2013; this is up a whopping 24.3% since October 2012. New listings are up from September with 76 listings as opposed to 69 from the previous month. New contracts and closed sales are down 11.4% and 21.6%, respectively. The market is starting to balance out making it a great time to buy or sell in Paradise Valley.
Considering a purchasing or selling a property in Paradise Valley? Take advantage of the great market conditions and get your home listed for sale.
We hope that you enjoy reading and analyzing the Paradise Valley Luxury Home Report and should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or email him directly at [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also visit https://www.AZLuxuryHomes.com or https://scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Paradise Valley Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Paradise Valley and to search the Paradise Valley MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
Please note that this Paradise Valley Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Paradise Valley Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Paradise Valley, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results.
November 11, 2013 Joe Szabo
Happy November! There is a lot to be happy about in Scottsdale Arizona. The weather is perfect and the real estate market isn’t too shabby either. The median home price in Scottsdale Arizona has increased from $371,000 to $385,000 since September 2013; up 18.5% since October 2012. New listings are up from September with 1,143 listings as opposed to 900 from the previous month. New contracts are up 14.3% while closed sales dropped slightly by 5.8%. The hot seller’s market is starting to cool off and balance out the market. Would be a great time for buyers on the fence to make a move!
Considering a purchasing or selling a property in Scottsdale? Take advantage of the great market conditions and get your home listed for sale before the snow birds and students return in the fall.
We hope that you enjoy reading and analyzing the Scottsdale Luxury Home Report and should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or email him directly at [email protected]. You can also visit https://scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results.
November 9, 2013 Joe Szabo
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Renovating their Falls Church home — a former broom factory built in the 1890s — led Keith and Greta Brendley to add the ultimate luxury: a specially dug basement for a wine cellar.
“It allows my collection to grow and allows me to buy deeper, younger reds that need significant time to age,” says Keith Brendley, 55, president of a defense systems analysis company. Lining the walls of the underground room are mahogany racks and shelves, many filled with California wines.
Temperature-controlled, dedicated wine storage is becoming more common as the beverage gains popularity among consumers. A recent Gallup poll shows that about as many Americans prefer wine as they do beer, which has dropped over the past two decades as the alcoholic drink of choice. As a result, homeowners are investing in coolers, closets and rooms for their chardonnay, cabernet and other varietals.
“A wine refrigerator is something that a lot of our clients add when they renovate their kitchens,” says Jim Wrenn of Bethesda-based Case Design/Remodeling, the firm responsible for the Brendleys’ renovation. Most under-counter fridges hold about 50 bottles, leading serious oenophiles to step up to larger spaces where the temperature and humidity are kept steady to protect their investments.
“Many of my clients build wine cellars because they are collecting and buying wine at a rate they can’t keep up with and growing out of their wine refrigerators,” says Lisa Weiss of the Wine Cellar Co. in McLean.
Steve Goldstein of Classic Cellar Design in Vienna says the demand for wine cellars is on the rise, particularly in newer spec homes. He notes that the increase has resulted, in part, from “the loosening of the interstate shipping laws over the last few years, providing access to many hard-to-find wines and the ability to ship home wines from vacation experiences in wine country.”
With the typical wine cellar costing about $40,000 to $60,000 — the Brendleys spent about $80,000 on their 10-foot-by-13-foot basement room — some homeowners are opting for smaller, less expensive storage spaces, Weiss says. “Closet cellars are hot right now and run about $15,000 to $20,000,” Weiss says. Another trend she sees is to craft the bottle racks out of reclaimed wood from wine barrels and tanks.
Most important to a wine cellar, experts say, is the proper infrastructure for storage. “It’s absolutely critical that you prepare the room for refrigeration with the right placement of insulation and vapor barriers,” Weiss says. “If you miss a step, you may end up with condensation or mold.”
Insulation must cover the floor and ceiling in addition to the walls for controlling environmental conditions. Doors should be exterior-grade to ensure a tight seal and lighting kept low to reduce heat. The goal is to keep the temperature at 55 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity at 55 to 70 percent so that bottles are kept cool and corks don’t loosen or dry out to spoil the contents.
“You are building a walk-in refrigerator for your wine,” Goldstein says. “A wine cellar can be located anywhere as long as all of its surfaces are considered. Most people put them in the basement because that’s the coolest place in the home and where people have extra room.”
But don’t plan on hosting guests inside the cellar. Says Greta Brendley, 52, a school psychologist: “It’s way too cold for dining or hanging out. We were thinking more about storage than a place to entertain.”
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
September 16, 2013 szabogroup
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Fall Arizona Restaurant Week is the second course of the foodie-favorite program, Arizona Restaurant Week (ARW), which is held twice a year in participating restaurants throughout Arizona. Fall ARW offers diners a 3-course prix fixe dinner menu designed to allow guests the experience of Arizona’s most renowned restaurants at an amazing price. Fall ARW provides participating restaurants a surge of business at the end of the summer as diner traffic begins to pick up. ARW has gained national attention with the media and throughout dining communities across the nation. Go to the official ARW web site for all the details. And Happy Dining!
Event begins September 21 and ends September 29th
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
September 2, 2013 szabogroup
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve is like no other place in the Valley. It is unique geologically. It is home to stunning geography, lush cacti forests and diverse wildlife. It features award-winning trails and facilities.
See for yourself. Now is a great time to explore the preserve, stretched across roughly 27,800 scenic acres of Scottsdale.
The Preserve encompasses the McDowellMountains, where recent discoveries are causing geologists to rethink how this region formed and evolved. New trails and amenities are bringing Scottsdale’s “mountains of discovery” closer to residents and visitors. Check them out!
Pinnacle Peak
The Sierra Club rates the 150-acre PinnaclePeak as a moderate hike with an elevation gain of approximately 1,300 feet. The trail has a very smooth tread with a number of ups and downs over the course of the 1.75 mile trail (one way). It is not a loop trail so you come back over the same trail. High point on the trail is 2,889′, the lowest point is 2,366′, and the elevation at the trailhead is 2,570′. Hiking, horseback riding and rock climbing will take you to spectacular views of the valley . Rock climbing, for experienced climbers with appropriate gear, is permitted in three areas of the park with a variety of routes and skill levels.
Amenities include an 90 space paved parking area (including 4 motorcycle parking spaces at the west end of the lot) restrooms, drinking fountain, ramada, and 4 picnic tables.
The park is an ideal habitat for a variety of native plants such as Saguaros, Cholla Cactus, Creosote plants, and for creatures such as Bobcats, Gila Monsters and Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes. Hiker safety is important to us, so please read Park Rules and Safety Information.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
August 12, 2013 szabogroup
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Looking for something to do? Visit the Desert Botanical Garden. They have an open house on Sunday, August 18. You are invited to spend Sunday morning at the Garden to learn more about the program and tap into the Garden’s expertise! One of our expert instructors will teach a preview of the design class and you will enjoy a special tour led by our Plant Collections Manager.
Receive in-depth training in landscaping with desert-adapted plants by signing up for Desert Landscape School. Spend one morning a week with the horticulture staff at the Desert Botanical Garden.
Since 1997, the Desert Landscape School has trained people with a wide variety of backgrounds, aptitudes, previous knowledge and goals. Among the School’s special features are:
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
June 17, 2013 szabogroup
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
On May 25th, the rainforest opened in Scottsdale. Butterfly Wonderland is a place where the whole family can enjoy the wonders of thousands of butterflies, a live ant colony, a honey bee exhibit, and a 3D experience that you will want to see.
Featured here is the 10,000 square-foot atrium that holds over 4,000 different species of butterflies. From them flying to standing still, this is a sight to see. Get out your camera and take as many pictures as you can because this is something that you will want to remember.
Butterflies aren’t the only insects you’ll learn about. The Honey Bee Extravaganza features a large, encased beehive showing how the hardworking insect spends its entire life making the sweet honey. The Live Ant Colony shows another critter hard at work, tunneling, gathering food and constructing mounds and hills.
The aquariums at Butterfly Wonderland are home to many exotic fish and eels. Visitors get a glimpse into the diverse, wildlife-filled Amazon River in South America which includes the Amazon pacu fish. It is known for the human like teeth.
If you are looking for something new and exciting to do during the day, I suggest visiting Butterfly Wonderland. It is something that you will never forget.
General admission entitles you to the complete Butterfly Wonderland experience. The entrance fee is $18.95 per adult, $9.95 per child (ages 3 to 11) and $16.95 for students, military (with ID) and seniors (62+). Children 2 and under are free. Group and School Tour Rates are also available. Cameras, strollers are welcome.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
May 27, 2013 szabogroup
By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Every year the summer season filters the activities and possible outdoor adventures that the resilient Valley of the Sun inhabitants chooses to do. The question is where to go and what to do when the heat does not allow us to spend much time outside. Once the 21st of June makes the corner we are set for the next couple of months of intense heat, but there are besides the usual pool activities a few indoor spaces that bring culture and rest from the scorching sun.
Many think of traveling outside Arizona if possible or just outside Phoenix and head north into the mountains to escape the heat for a while. These days, if traveling is out of reach, and you are looking to changing your perspective in your courtyard become a tourist in your town this summer.
It is good to know that our cities are well sprinkled with good architectural museums. Besides the enjoyment that the architecture and interior design these buildings provide, the exhibits will surprise you and hopefully turn you into a fan.
This economic downturn may be changing our summer experience but not necessarily in a negative way. During the last years a lot of investment has been placed on our local museums due to potential tourism. We could take advantage of this fact and have quality indoor experiences with no heat stroke risks.
A short drive from Scottsdale, it will be easy to find the Phoenix Art Museum which is a good place to spend worthwhile summer indoor time. Offering great permanent exhibits and spaces that will keep you busy for a while, it always allows you to discover something new every visit. The Tod William and BillieTsien Architects is very well conceived and seamlessly increased the capacity of the museum. The gift shop itself will keep you entertained for a while and the museum café offers very good food.
The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art by Will Bruder- Architect, sits inside the cultural center of our town and pivots around several structures and fun commercial establishments that will create a full day of activity under a protective environment. The great thing about this museum is how art has been intertwined with the architecture to create memorable spaces. Do not miss the Scrim Wall by James Carpenter creating light effects and the Knight Rise Skyspace exhibit by James Turrel.
An exciting destination in Scottsdale is the MIM or Music Instruments Museum. This brand new building housing the first global musical instruments museum will sure provide many hours of indoor cultural heaven. Its large area and brand new state of the art self guided tours are a great experience themselves.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
Mobile: 480-688-2020
Office: 480-889-8702
Fax: 480-355-9444
[email protected]
21000 N. Pima Rd
Suite 100
Scottsdale AZ, 85255